Shirley Ann (Johnson) Erickson, 91, of Buffalo, MN, died at home on February 25, 2020 with her son by her side.
Shirley was born October 11, 1928 in St. Cloud, MN, the daughter of the late Oscar and Susan (Weber) Johnson and the second of four children. When she was 14, the family moved to St. Paul, MN.
She married Maurice Erickson of Buffalo, MN on August 27, 1949. The couple lived in Buffalo all their married life and there they raised their children, Michael and Diane.
As a young mother, Shirley used her impeccable seamstress skills to design and sew clothing for her family and her daughter’s dolls. On winter Sundays, she often made chicken soup (with homemade hand cut noodles) while her kids watched Shirley Temple movies on TV. She enjoyed puzzles, board games, and pancakes on Saturday mornings. She loved to sing while washing the dishes and taught her daughter great oldies like “Take Me Out to the Ballgame”, “When the Red Red Robin Comes Bob, Bob, Bobbin’ Along” and “I’m My Own Grandpa”. She was great on the harmony!
Shirley loved to decorate and maintain her home. Her apple collection was artfully displayed in her kitchen. She had apple paintings, apple dishes, apple towels, apple pot holders, an apple clock, red apples, green apples, wooden apples, porcelain apples……
The apple of her eye was her beloved granddaughter, Angela, who gave her so much joy.
Shirley was a dedicated nursing assistant at Parkview Care Center in Buffalo, MN for 20+ years. She also sewed children’s clothing at Wonderalls for many years.
She worked hard and excelled at all she did.
In her retirement years, she lived to play cards and laugh with her friends at Tower Hill.
She was a faithful member of Zion Lutheran Church in Buffalo.
Shirley is preceded in death by her husband, Maurice Erickson; parents, Oscar and Susan Johnson; brother, Norman Johnson; and brother-in-law, Louis Bader.
She is survived by her son, Michael (Heidi) Erickson and granddaughter, Angela Erickson of Greenfield, MN; daughter, Diane (Lee) Schneider of Millarville, Alberta, Canada; sister, Muriel (Bob) Chakich of Richfield, MN; sister, Nyla Bader of Orono, MN; sister-in-law, Darlene (Dale) Erickson of Buffalo; and many nieces and nephews.
Rest in peace dear Mother, Grandma, Sister, and Friend. We will miss you.
Visitation will be held Wednesday, March 4, 2020 from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at The Peterson Chapel, 119 Central Ave, Buffalo, MN. Funeral services will be held Thursday, March 5, 2020 at 11:00 AM, with visitation one hour prior, at Zion Lutheran Church, 1200 Hwy 25 S, Buffalo, MN. Burial will follow at the Swedesburg Lutheran Cemetery, rural Waverly, MN.
Dear Family of Shirley,
We are sorry for your loss. My Mom and Shirley were the original “LaVerne & Shirley” at Tower Hill Condos. We are in Arizona visiting our daughter and not certain we will be home in time to attend the services.
With our prayers and sympathy,
Jeannie & David Dixon
Mike and Diane and family- we were sad to hear of Shirley’s passing. Your parents were great neighbors to Elsie and Helen for many years, as well as great neighbors to Alex and I and our boys! Shirley became a good friend to Rose too as they worked together in the kitchen at Parkview. May good memories ease the loss you face
Oh Diane and Mike! I am sorry for the loss of your dear mother. How well I remember Shirley the seamstress! Diane’s clothes were a one-of-a-kind fashion statement! My family has great memories from across the street! God bless you with many, many memories to lighten and brighten the days ahead.
Mike and Diane your Mom was one of my favorite customers to talk to when I worked at the bank. She was a pure joy to work with. Rest in peace dear Friend Denise Saunders